To mark the third year of its partnership as Official Timekeeper of the Tour Auto Lissac, the prestigious watch Manufacture Audemars Piguet launched Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2008 Chronograph. With only 100 numbered timepieces made, this limited edition symbolizes the successful alliance between the worlds of automobile racing and fine watchmaking. In 1972, as the Tour de France Automobile wound its way across France for the 73rd year, Audemars Piguet created the very first stainless steel luxury sports watch, the Royal Oak, typified by its octagonal bezel and pure, timeless lines. Twenty years later, in 1992, Peter Auto re-launched the automobile challenge in its original form and Audemars Piguet created a new version of the Royal Oak with a true sporting pedigree the Offshore Chronograph.
In tribute to this acclaimed timepiece, the limited edition designed by the Manufacture for the Tour Auto 2008 is full of references to automobile racing. The black dial decorated with white counters evokes the chequered flag and the bright-red hands bring to mind the instruments of racing cars. The perforated leather strap is reminiscent of typical 70s motoring upholstery. Even the presentation case, in the form of a competition-standard air filter, captures the motor-racing feel.
The Tour Auto Lissac is not simply one of the most illustrious automobile rallies; it is also a gruelling competition that puts mechanics to the test. The mechanism beneath the octagonal case of the Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2008 Chronograph is a blend of avant-garde technology, the quest for performance and the search for perfection, reflecting the values of automobile racing.
Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto 2008 Chronograph
Reference
26184ST.00.D003CU.01
Limited series of 100 numbered timepieces
Movement
Self-winding 3126/3840 Calibre
Diameter: 11.5 lines (26mm)
Thickness: 7.16mm
59 rubies
365 parts
Power reserve: up to 60 hours
Balance frequency: 21,600 oscillations per hour
Variable inertia balance with eight inertia blocks
Geneva type mobile support stud
Three-stop winding mechanism stem
Finishing: hand-decorated parts; stippling on the bottom plate; polishing on counterpiercings, angles and countersinks;bevelling, snailing on bridges
Functions
Hours and minutes
Small seconds hand
Chronograph with centre second hand, 30-minute and 12-hour counters
Tachometric scale on bezel
Date
Case
Stainless steel
Diameter: 42mm
Assembly screws in polished steel, sapphire crystal
Screwed crown
Back engraved with Tour Auto logo and the inscription Royal Oak Offshore Limited edition
Water resistant to 100m
Dial
Black with exclusive Mega Tapisserie design
Silver counters and bezel
Luminescent index
Luminescent hour and minute hands in grey gold
Strap
Perforated black leather with white stitching, remborded and hand-sewn, black lining
Stainless steel AP folding clasp
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